Apparatus for cleaning tube bundles



Aug. 3, 1954 Filed Dec. 31, 1948 E. E. DAUPHINEE ETAL APPARATUS FORCLEANING TUBE BUNDLES 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIdvf Enna E'. DaaphzlneenStanley V. dnerzbrzg big/LU, Gttorneg Bru/enter Aug' 3, 1954 E. E.DAUPHINEE 'x-:T Ar. 2,685,293

APPARATUS FOR CLEANING TUBE BUNDLES Filed Dec. 31, 1948 2 Sheets-Sheet 2E'rzna EDGU hLnee Stanley V. Gnabringnventors 225 (ZU, GtbrornecPatented Aug. 3, 1954 UNITED STATE APPARATUS FOR CLEANING TUBE BUNDLESration of Delaware Application December 31, 1948, Serial No. 68,492

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for cleaning theexterior surfaces of a plurality of tubes arranged in the form of tubebundles.

Groups of tubes arranged as bundles are frequently used in chemicalmanufacturing processes. For example, heat exchangers are frequentlymade up of many tubes conveniently positioned in the form of bundles.Again, reaction zones are frequently made up of tube bundles so thatcatalysts, or liquid reactants may circulate within the tubes and sothat cooling, or heating media may be circulated on the outside of thetubes. In all the applications of tube bundles it is desirable tomaintain the exterior surface of the tubes as free of deposits andscales as possible. This is true for the reason that tube bundles areused to secure heat exchange through the tubes so that it is importantto maintain the surfaces of the tubes as clean as possible in order torealize the optimum heat transfer coefficients. In accordance with thisinvention, therefore, improved means are disclosed for periodicallycleaning the exterior surfaces of tube bundles of the characterindicated.

As indicated, it is important in maintaining tube bundles in the bestoperating condition, to periodically clean these bundles to free them ofincrustations, or deposits. These deposits may vary widely in characterdependent upon the particular fluid which is circulated around thetubes. For example, in a heat exchanger employing cooling water on theexterior side of the tubes, the deposits encountered may be due toforeign material carried in the water, or may be due to the depositionof salts from the Water, crystallized out on the tubes as the result ofthe contact of the water with the hot surfaces of the tubes. Again, ifan oil is circulated around the outer part of a tube bundle, deposits ofcarbonaceous material may form on the tubes, or resin-like materials maybe precipitated on the tubes, In any case the problem of cleaningdeposits from tube bundles is best attacked by using mechanical means toscrub the deposits from the tubes. This is true for the reason that thedeposits ordinarily encountered in any given application varysuinciently in chemical characteristics as to resist ready removal byany given solvent or groups of solvents. Consequently, it has heretoforebeen the practice to manually brush, or rub deposits from the tubes of atube bundle with or without the use of auxiliary solvents or uids suchas water, or steam. The present methods for cleaning tube bundles areparticularly characterized by rather slow, tedious manual operations.

In accordance with this invention, it has been discovered that thedeposits commonly encountered on tube bundles may successfully beremoved by causing a high pressure jet of uid to impinge on the tubesfrom all angles. Thus, for example, it has been discovered that a jet ofWater obtained by forcing the Water through relatively smallperforations under high pressures (of the order of 500 to 2000 lbs., persquare inch) will serve to substantially scrub, or remove deposits fromtube bundles. This method of cleaning a tube bundle is particularlyfacilitated by the apparatus herein disclosed which makes it possible toutilize a comparatively small number of jets to eifectively clean thesurfaces of large tube bundles. The apparatus of this invention isprovided with means to support the tube bundle and cleaning jets so asto permit a combination of ro'- tational, transverse, and longitudinalmovement of the tube bundles relative to the jets employed. Theapparatus is also characterized by employing supporting and moving meansof such a character as to permit ready adaptation to tube bundlesvarying widely in size. By these provisions it is possible to employ thesame type of cleaning apparatus to clean the exterior surfaces of tubebundles of any size commonly used and at the same time to permit thisoperation using a small number of cleaning jets. It is further possibleto carry out the necessary cleaning operations in a minimum of time andin a relatively simple and expeditious manner.

The nature of this invention will be fully understandable from a perusalof the following description as related to the accompanying drawingswherein one embodiment of the apparatus of this invention is disclosed.In the drawings:

Figure I shows a side elevational view, partly in section, of an entireapparatus embodying the principles of this invention and;

Figure II illustrates a left side view of Figure I, showing theplacement of the tube bundle below the cleaning jets. In these drawingsthe tube bundle is illustrated as a large number of tubes fixed toheaders or end plates Il, which are supported in turn by the carriageprovided in accordance with this invention.

Referring to the drawings, it will be noted that the cleaning apparatusdisclosed utilizes a plurality of jets indicated by the numerals I.These jets are conveniently positioned above the tube bundle and arepreferably positioned to face downwardly so as to provide a jet of fluidimpinging on the upper part of the tube bundle. The jets used may besupplied With suitable fluid through lines 2, supplied from manifold 3,which if desired may be positioned below the ground as shown. Aplurality of jets are employed which may vary in number as desired. Inthe embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, it will benoted that 15 jets are employed supplied, by three uid lines 2, from acommon manifold 3. It is apparent that if desired fewer jets than thisnumber may be employed, or alternatively that a greater number of jetsmay be used. It is desirable to enclose the space adjacent the jets withan enclosure such as thesheet metal enclosure 4, illustrated in thedrawing, to enclose the spattering fluid resulting from the fluid jetimpinging on the tube bundle.

Immediately below the jets, positioned as indicated, is a suitableroadway to permit rolling the tube bundle below the jets on wheelsarranged to support the tube bundle. In the drawing the roadway isillustrated as comprising a conventional set of steel rails '5 which mayAconveniently be of standard gauge adapted to accommodate standardrailroad wheels 6. Supporting members 1, which are arranged parallel tothe rails 5 are borne by the axles of the wheels. It is satisfactory toemploy two supporting members 7 which may consist of standard tubular orpipe members. The actual supports 9 for the tube bundle are positionedon the pipe members 7 which may be set at a desired place on the pipemembers by means of the U bolts 8. Two tube bundle supports 9 areprovided which are spaced by the adjustment of the U bolts on thesupporting means 'I' so as to accommodate a tube bundle of a particularlength. The tube bundle supports 9 `consist of lateral beams extendingacross the supporting means 'I and provided with axles on which thewheels I0 may rotate. Each support 9 is provided with two wheels I0which may be flanged as indicated so as to iirmly hold the tube bundleII in place. ment the tube bundle II is caused to rest on the wheels I0at four points, firmly positioning the tube bundle but permitting therotational movement of the tube bundle on rotation of the wheels I0. Thewheels I0 may be rotated by any desired means, which for purposes ofillustration, have been assumed to be hand wheel I2 and chain drive I3,.acting on sprockets I4 fixed to the axles of the wheels I0.Consequently, by rotation of hand Wheel I2 the `chain drive I3 causesrotation of the wheels I0 so as to rotate the entire tube bundle. Theapparatus illustrated may be further rened, if desired, by employingsuitable means to move the tube bundle supports 9 transversely to thetracks 5. However, this is notan essential requirement of the apparatus.

As described, therefore, the apparatus of this invention consists of aplurality .of jets positioned above and directed vertically downwardstowards a tube bundle supported `on a suitable carriage so as to permitlongitudinal and rotational movement of the tube bundle below the jets.In operating the apparatus described the rst step is to `adjust thedisplacement of the tube bundle supports 9 so as to position the wheelsi0 at a suitable distance to support the tube bundle. The supports 9 areheld in the set position by tightening the U bolts 8. One end of thetube bundle is then rolled beneath the jets 3 along the roadbed of railsprovided and a high pressure jet By this arrangeof uids is released toimpinge on the tube bundle. Hand wheel I2 is then operated tocontinuously rotate the tube bundle beneath the jets while the tubebundle is moved progressively further below the jets. By virtue of therotational and longitudinal movement of the tube bundle the jets arecaused to impinge on the tube bundle at a continuously varying angle andat a continuously varying point along the length of the tube bundle. Itis thus possible to cause the jets of fluid to effectively impinge onall sides of each of the tubes of the bundle. In the case of tubebundles having an arrangement such that no Lclea-r path, through thebundles, is provided for the liquids this same effect occurs although inthis case the liquid reaching the tube bundles necessarily impingesseveral times from the tubes closer to the jets.

In employing the apparatus described it has been found necessary thatthe uids supplied through the jets I be driven at a suihciently highpressure so as to create a very high powered jet. It has been foundessential to secure suitable cleaning results to employ pressures inexcess of 500 lbs., per square inch. The particular nature of the jetsis not critical but these jets are conveniently composed of orificesthat are about 1/8 to 1/4 inch in diameter. It is contemplated that anysuitable fluid may be used as a cleaning agent. For most purposes wateris entirely suitable for cleaning deposits from the tubes. If desired,for particular applications other liquids or gases, such as steam or asuitable solvent may be used.

What is claimed is:

Apparatus for cleaning tube bundles comprising a pair of rails, acarriage mounted on wheels adapted to roll on said pair of rails, a pairof rotatable supporting members adapted to support tube bundlesadjustably positioned at either end of said carriage whereby thedisplacement between said pair of members may be adjusted to supporttube bundles of different lengths, a handwheel coupled to at least oneof said rotatable members .adapted to cause rotation of said rotatablemember, and a plurality of jets maintained in a xed position above saidrails, at least `a portion of said jets being disposed in a linetransverse to the said rails.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 445,197 Phillips Jan. 27, 1891 457,317 Haskins Aug. 4, 1891561,714 Lynch June 9, 1896 1,403,999 Baker Jan. 17, 1922 1,928,621 FredeOct. 3, 1933 1,952,848 Eckler Mar. 27, 1934 2,040,715 Smith May l2, 19362,200,587 Tirrell May 14, 1940 2,225,946 Arey Dec. 24, 1940 2,258,562Arey et al. Oct. 7, 1941 2,289,967 Johnson et al July 14, 1942 2,395,160Anderson Feb. 19, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 145,431Switzerland May 1, 1931

